HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Relations Commission - Minutes - 09/09/2021HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Regular Meeting – In Person/Virtual
September 9, 2021 5:30 – 7:30 pm
CIC Room, City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, CO
CALL TO ORDER
● Meeting was called to order by Chair, Beth Jaeger, at 5:30pm
ROLL CALL
● Present: Jean Runyon
Beth Jaeger Vic Smith
Wendy True Oscar Felix
● Absent: Phil Walker
● Staff Present: Carol Thomas, Equal Opportunity & Compliance Manager,
HRC Liaison
● Public Participant: None
AGENDA REVIEW
● No changes were made to the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
● Motion to approve the July and August minutes. First by Wendy True. Seconded by
Jean Runyon. All in favor 6-0.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
● No public participation.
BUDGET REVIEW
● $5,850 left in the budget. Currently saving for TWP sessions in October and HR Awards in
December.
NEW BUSINESS
● Chief Jeff Swoboda, Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS):
o HRC is interested in exploring how it can support FCPS, and better understand FCPS
recruitment practices, particularly for women and people of color.
o Chief Jeff Swoboda is open to answering any questions regarding policing,
and is always looking for opportunities to improve Police Department’s service to
the community.
● Community and Police Department trust is a big priority in
keeping peace and safety for all.
● There are 224 police officers in Fort Collins. By January, there will be 230.
● Majority of the Fort Collins Police force are white males.
●12% of the Police Department are women, which is higher than the
national average.
o Police recruiting does not employ discrimination in any way, but rather hires based
on positive character traits, and then trains for practical skills.
● Much effort has been put into hiring more diverse and excellent police
officers.
1. Majority of recruitment workers are women.
2. Plans to send recruitment teams to women’s
colleges.
3. Much time and energy are put into evaluating
character by means of extensive background
checks.
4. FCPS receives 200-300 applications every year.
Only hires around 10 individuals from those
applicants.
● FCPS has created its own training program and curriculum in order
to promote excellence and impress good habits and procedures with
its recruits.
1. Budget for training is $500,000.
2. Only works with trainers with the most reputable
records.
3. More work is being put into the area of empathy with
its officers.
o The HRC offered its thanks for Chief Jeff Swoboda, and expressed its commitment as a
working partner with FCPS. Chief Swoboda invited the HRC to review the FCPS
transparency page on its website, along with opportunities for community involvement such
as the Community Police Academy and officer ride-alongs.
OLD BUSINESS
“Our Commitment to Self and Society” Initiative and Potential HRC Support
● Plan is to stay posted on the progress of the Initiative, and evaluate
later on whether or not to publicly support it. Beth will reach out to
Rabbi Kitzer and Reverend Williams re: the status of their work.
Clarification RE: HRC’s Quasi-Judicial Role
● HRC is allowed to review discrimination claims made by citizens.
○ The Judicial Role can be changed through City Management,
Electors, or 3 or more Council Members supporting it to move
forward.
● HRC is to review City Code language sent by Carol and to further
discuss the HRC’s quasi-judicial role at its October meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Education Outreach- Update RE: TWP Training Sessions
● Sessions will be held at the Fort Collins Senior Center.
○ 1 and a half hour duration.
○ 30 people max per session.
Media/Community Recognition Committee-Update RE: HR Awards and
Ceremony; Approval of HRC Website Nomination Materials:
● Four categories of awards instead of five.
● Thanks to Carol for updating nomination language.
● Motion to approve the changes: First by Jean; Seconded by Wendy;
All in favor: 6-0
● HR Awards work plan to be reviewed in October.
Government Relations
● The September 7 meetings have had relevance in regards to pandemic
recovery, and equitable transportation.
o Executive - Update RE: New Members.
● No new updates. Applications for membership will open again on
September 13.
NEXT STEPS
Meeting Action Steps
● Beth will send out follow-up items.
October 14th Agenda- DEI Leaders Claudia Menendez, City of Fort Collins; Kauline
Cipriani, CSU; and Abenicio Rael, FRCC
ADJOURNMENT
● Motion to adjourn by Wendy; second by Jean. Approved 6-0
● Meeting Ending: 7:30pm